Rear leaf springs

[aero3113]

A few months ago I had my rear leaf springs replaced. When I was removing my rear drum I noticed alot of surface corrosion on them. The rust is very lite and will clean up with scotch bright. Should I just remove the rust and spray with a quality paint?What would you guys do?

[RobertKB]

Yes. Clean up the light rust and spray with paint. I would use Rustoleum (Tremclad in Canada) and put on two or three good coats.

[Cpt.Fred]

would you also grease them up?

sorry for hijacking, aero, just have the same problem, only mine are wrapped in aluminium you can't get off (without destroying it)

[aero3113]

I was thinking that also. Maybe use boshield. It drys to a light waxey coating.

[RobertKB]

would you also grease them up?

sorry for hijacking, aero, just have the same problem, only mine are wrapped in aluminium you can't get off (without destroying it)

Grease just collects dirt and does not allow the paint to stick.

[aero3113]

I have some POR 15 left over should I use that or just get some rustoleum?

[Joe Flanagan]

Supposedly, POR15 needs rust in order to adhere. It also won't tolerate any flexing, so if that's an issue I wouldn't use it. Is it rust on your drum you're talking about or rust on the leaf spring? Is either really an issue or is it a cosmetic concern? If I were painting it, I'd make sure all the grease and dirt is gone. Lacquer thinner works well for that. So does Easy Off oven cleaner. Depends on how dirty the area is. I don't see anything wrong with Rustoleum for that application. I used it on my gas tank and so far so good.

[aero3113]

Its for the leaf springs cosmetic only (also do not want it to get worse). Will Rustoleum hold up to flexing?

[Joe Flanagan]

The best thing to do is take some phosphoric acid to the rust. Use a scotch pad or a wire brush to work the acid into the rusty area. You'll see it come off. If you keep on working it, it will all come off, but if it's really extensive, you can just work it in, wipe it down, and leave it. Whatever rust remains will have turned black and will be neutralized. Then paint it with Rustoleum or something. I have used a product called Zero Rust for the past seven years and I think it's great. It's tough, flexible, and in the time I've been using it, have never had rust come back on me. And I've been watching. The best combination is phosphoric acid and then Zero Rust. They have a web site and will probably direct you to vendors. I did the entire underside of my car with it. The entire inside floor, too. Frame, suspension, all of it got Zero Rust. I've heard people say good things about Rust Bullet, too, though I have never used it. I would definitely hit it with phosphoric acid though.

[Cpt.Fred]

i meant greasing AFTER the painting.

i always thought there should be some lubricant between the single leafs.

[Frank Elder]

There was a liner between leafs originally, yours have probably disappeared over time.

[Cpt.Fred]

ok, thanks!

[aero3113]

I ended up using a product made by permitex. It is a spray that neutralizes the rust and turns it black. I am still deciding if I should spray paint them black.

[RobertKB]

Yes. Just for appearance's sake.......and it can't do any harm.

[aero3113]

True. Do I use gloss,semi gloss or flat black paint?

[RobertKB]

True. Do I use gloss,semi gloss or flat black paint?

I personally would use semi-gloss although if you use gloss and drive the car lots it will be semi-gloss in a while anyway from dust, dirt, rain, etc.